Zico has quit as coach of the Iraqi national football team in the middle of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Iraq are struggling to reach the next round of qualifiers from their group, which includes Japan and Australia, and Zico claims his contract has not been fulfilled.

"I would like to inform via this website that I have sent a communication to FIFA ... and to the Iraq Football Association declaring that I consider my contract to be void due to the IFA's failure to abide by its terms," he said on his website (www.ziconarede.com.br). I will provide further details shortly."